Top 5 “Interesting Facts” That Are Wrong

Related Tags:

Brace yourself, reader. JackFM is about to drop some serious nuggets of knowledge into your braingrapes. You know those “fun facts” that people throw around to impress the ladies?

You might be surprised (or not) to learn that a good lot of them are made up. Here are our top 5 picks:

5. The Great Space Wall…

Frederick J Brown / Getty Images

The Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from outer space

WRONG! So so wrong. If you were to go into space and orbit at a distance close enough to see The Wall of China, you will most definitely be able to see major freeways and cities as well.

4. Tiny Braingrapes

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

You only use 10% of your brain

Why is it that television shows and movies use this misconception as an explanation of supernatural powers? We aren’t giving ourselves enough credit! We use all of our brain. All of the time. That’s why brain surgery is so risky.

3. Nazi That Coming?

Adrian Dennis / Getty Images

Hitler was a vegetarian

According to Dione Lucas, Hitler’s personal chef, the leader’s favorite dish was stuffed baby pigeon. You could not get further from vegetarianism.

2. Gum In Yer Tummy

Aris Messinis / Getty Images

Chewing gum takes 7 years to digest

While it is true that chewing gum is for the most part indigestible, it typically passes through the digestive tract like any other food.

1. Penny For Your Thoughts

Tim Boyle / Getty Images

Dropping a penny of the top of the empire state building could be fatal if it hit someone on the sidewalk below

First off, the architecture of the Empire State building is tapered. This means that dropping anything straight down to the sidewalk is nearly impossible.

Secondly, the velocity of a penny remains constant no matter how high it falls. That velocity is not nearly high enough to cause any damage.

There you have it! Next time you hear someone thinking they are a smarty pants for dispensing one of the “facts” above, you can smarty-pants them right back and be a total nerd.